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Lexus LX J201 concept is part SUV, part 550-horsepower rally car

Lexus transformed the LX, its biggest SUV, into a supercharged off-roader that sends chills down the Ford F-150 Raptor's spine. Although it's only a concept, it will attempt to tame the desert during the 2020 Rebelle Rally. Based on the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX is a formidable off-roader even without any modifications. Many examples nonetheless end up decked out with aftermarket parts, and it's these go-anywhere rigs that inspired Lexus to create the J201. Its name comes from URJ201, which is the current LX's internal designation. Stylists started by chipping several slats off the SUV's sizeable spindle-shaped grille to accommodate a winch and a light bar that's safely tucked behind a protective cover. Other aftermarket parts installed on the J201 include a snorkel, a roof rack, running boards, and a metal rear bumper with a pair of swing-out racks that carry extra fuel and a spare tire. Users can access cargo stored on the roof via a ladder installed out back. When the going gets tough, off-roaders can count on skid plates, a lifted suspension, 17-inch wheels, and 33-inch General Grabber X3 tires to help them soldier on. There's also an onboard air compressor, which lets drivers fill up the tires (after crossing sand dunes, for example) even if they're nowhere near a power outlet.  Lexus pegs the J201's output at 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a Magnusson supercharger, but it stopped short of revealing technical specifications. It might have added forced induction to the stock LX 570's 5.7-liter V8, which effortlessly delivers 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque in its standard configuration, or it might have replaced the eight-cylinder with another engine from its arsenal. Regardless, an automatic transmission channels the cavalry to the four wheels via upgraded differentials. It doesn't sound like the J201 will ever see the light that awaits at the end of a production line. It's based on a model that sells in extremely limited numbers (4,718 units found a home in 2019), and that's nearing the end of its lifecycle. This concept is not destined to spend the next few decades in a warehouse, however. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley will enter the J201 in the 2020 edition of the Rebelle Rally, which starts this Thursday, October 8. Open exclusively to women, the event will take competitors through 2,000 miles of grueling terrain in California and Nevada. Related Video:

Lexus' new V-LCRO advances seat tech by going back in time

Automakers love teaming up with aftermarket suppliers. Stuff like Foxx Racing shocks, BBS wheels, and Brembo brakes are all there to gussy up performance vehicles. But one of the best branded performance options you can get are a meaty set of seats. Not only do they look great, but the two purposes they serve are legitimate – hearty bolsters keep you pinned in place around high-G turns and they allow you to soak up a lot more of the chassis' sensations. Lexus already had a solid set of (unbranded) thrones in the RC F and GS F, but a piece of old tech is about to make them even better. The company is introducing a new Variable Load Coupling Rear Orientation for its seats. Fancy name aside, this is far from a new technology. It's been around for 75 years, and you probably know it as Velcro Technology. Yes, Lexus is going to start selling Velcro lined seats to keep you in place at up to three Gs, whether they be fore, aft, or lateral forces. "The RC F and GS F are exhilarating, racing-inspired vehicles," said Brian Bolain, Lexus' GM for product and consumer marketing. "By partnering with Velcro Companies, our new V-LCRO technology enhances the driver's ability to maximize the cars' track-proven performance." If you're worried this is just a bunch of marketing jargon, though, take it from an actual driver. The V-LCRO system works. "The beauty of this technology is its simplicity," Lexus F Performance Racing driver Scott Pruett said. "With V-LCRO, Lexus has created an unprecedented connection between driver and vehicle, and the impact on the track has been phenomenal." According to Lexus spokesman Moe Lester, V-LCRO will be available on 2020 models, alongside the upcoming hoverboard package. In other news, tomorrow is April Fools' Day. Be prepared. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Lexus Introduces Groundbreaking V-LCRO Technology Automaker reveals new interior option for RC F and GS F performance vehicles TORRANCE, Calif. (March 31, 2016)—When it comes to performance cars, few things are more important than the connection between driver and vehicle. For luxury automaker Lexus, the continuous pursuit to enhance this connection even includes venturing outside the automotive world for new solutions.

2019 Lexus ES is first mass-produced car to replace side mirrors with cameras

Concept cars have been trying to replace side mirrors with cameras for decades, and now Lexus is actually going to do it on a production car. There's one important caveat though: It's only for Japan. First implemented for the recently redesigned (and recently reviewed) 2019 Lexus ES, the side mirrors are being replaced with small, aerodynamic camera stalks. Those small cameras tucked into the stalks provide a constant video feed to five-inch screens placed at the base of the car's A-pillars. The biggest reason manufacturers are pushing this kind of tech is to improve aerodynamics. Swapping those side mirrors out for something much smaller creates less drag, and ultimately, better fuel economy. Lexus says there are a couple other advantages for going digital here too. For one, the camera modules are able to resist the accumulation of raindrops and snow due to their design. There's also less wind noise since the mirrors cut through the air so well. This will become even more important as silent electric cars trickle their way onto the market. The actual visibility is supposed to be better as well. Lexus says that the view is "enhanced" when you activate a turn signal, and helps provide better rearward vision when put into reverse — think Honda LaneWatch, but way cooler. We won't be seeing this futuristic-looking side mirror technology in the U.S. for some time, because it's still not legal here. The technology is legal to use in Europe, but Lexus says it'll only be offered in Japan for the time being. Audi, though, will be bringing its side camera mirror technology to Europe by the end of the year with the E-Tron. There's still no release date on the electric SUV, but it might be the first to market with the tech on that continent. Audi wants to bring side mirror camera technology to the U.S. in its E-Tron, but the regulations still need to be changed to allow that here - the E-Tron is expected to be for sale in the U.S. sometime in 2019. Buyers in Japan will be able to scoop a Lexus ES with the tech this October. Related Video: